YES..WE ALLOW7 DEATH THREATS

Facebook’s happy with targeting of stars, says leak

CALLS for the deaths of “public figures” are OK on Facebook, according to leaked guidelines.

The social network’s bullying and harassment policy permits the targeting of celebs, royals, Government officials, sports stars and influencers.

But for ordinary members of the public, threats are banned.

Imran Ahmed, founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, called the rules “flabbergasting” and warned that they put public figures at risk.

Harm

He said: “Highly visible abuse of public figures and celebrities acts as a warning – a proverbial head on a pike – to others.”

Facebook’s policy does protect public figures from direct threats of severe physical harm, derogatory sexualised terms or from threats to release personal details.

They are considered permissible targets for certain abuse “because we want to allow discussion which often includes critical commentary of people who are featured in the news”, Facebook explained in its guidance to moderators.

The revelation comes as social networks face criticism over abuse of targets such as campaigning footie star Marcus Rashford.

Facebook, which also owns Instagram, has brought in rules to cover abuse sent via direct messages and committed to co-operating with law enforcement over hate speech.

Facebook said: “We think it’s important to allow critical discussion of politicians and other people in the public eye.

“But that doesn’t mean we allow people to abuse or harass them on our apps.

“We remove hate speech and threats of serious harm no matter who the target is.’’

In the leaked guidelines, which run to more than 300 pages and date from December, Facebook spells out differences in the protection of private and public users.

The leaked guide some odd details too.

Users are allowed to bully dead people – but only if they perished before 1900.

And they are free to target fictional characters such as slobby Homer Simpson. includes